To find out more, and to support our campaign, please visit and follow the Guardians of Whitewebbs.

On around 3 April 2025, the Whitewebbs Oak was felled by unidentified contractors in Whitewebbs Park. This was a beloved ancient tree. With a 6.1m circumference, it was one of only 60 similarly ancient English Oak (Quercus robur) trees in the whole of London.* It was irreplaceable habitat for hundreds of species, and was at least 300 years old. The loss is comparable to that of the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland, and the ecological impact is worse.

We are asking for justice and the implementation of measures to prevent similar losses.

With this letter, we are demanding that the Council fully investigate this tragic incident. We are also urgently requesting the protection of the rest of the park’s trees, which includes other ancient and veteran trees.

As the oak was on Council parkland, the private contractors would have needed permission for the works from the Council officer. They do not appear to have obtained this. The value of the oak was extremely high and the work has left little chance of regrowth. We welcome the referral of this case by the Council to the Metropolitan Police. It may be a case of criminal damage amounting to a value exceeding £5,000 - a serious crime whose maximum sentence is 10 years in prison. The tree's value could be more than £620,000.**

We call upon the Council to agree to commission an independent investigation into what happened to lead to this incident. This is an appropriate reaction to the loss of a nationally important tree.

An investigation ought to consider the felling in the context of the wider development of the park. The Whitewebbs Oak is on land leased by the Toby Carvery. This pub chain shares ties of ownership with Tottenham Hotspur. The football club is currently trying to push through controversial development plans for the park, including access roads near the area of the tree.***

While it is too late for the Whitewebbs Oak, other trees nearby can be protected from future interference and felling. We are calling on the Council to perform an expedited survey of all trees in Whitewebbs Park and Wood with the object of making individual and group Tree Preservation Orders for all suitable candidates.

In summary, we are demanding that Enfield Council:

1. Together with Police, use all resources available to them to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice
2. Commission an independent investigation
3. Begin an expedited survey to identify TPOs for all suitable Whitewebbs Park and Wood trees, thus protecting them for the future

Image/video credits (in order): Benny Hawksbee, Sam Gracie Tillbrook, Paul Whiteing

*i.e. of the same or larger girth - figure excludes the large number of oaks at Windsor

** The Sycamore Gap tree, which has a much lower ecological value, was valued at £620,000.

*** Spurs was contacted by the council and denied any responsibility for the incident.